And I know he does. And that it might not be conventional, but it’s the best brotherly love a girl could ask for. Even if he’s shitty at showing it sometimes.
“So, what are your plans for tonight?” I ask.
“Work. You?”
“I dunno. Probably just Netflix again. Jake has his thesis, and he already dropped everything to watch Lord of the Rings with me the other night, so I’ll probably let him off the hook this time. Maybe Gibbs or River is free.”
“Sonny’s working, and River has a date.”
“Another one?”
Milo pauses and gives me a weird look. “Is there something I should be worried about, Reese?”
“No…I just…am surprised, I guess.” I shrug one shoulder. “I mean, he’s good-looking and all, but he isn’t that great.”
With a snort, Milo shakes his head. “Pretty sure you’re the first girl River’s ever met who hasn’t worshipped the ground he walks on.”
“You’re joking, right?”
“Nope.” Crunching the paper wrapper into a ball, he tosses it toward the large black garbage can in the corner of the break room. As it swishes, he drops his chin toward my untouched burger lying on the table. “You gonna eat yours?”
“I think I’ll take it home and eat there. I’m sorry I just dropped in––”
“Don’t apologize. But I do need to finish Lou’s piece. We’ll talk later, okay?”
“Okay. Love you, Milo.”
“You too.”
12
Reese
In a pair of yoga pants and a tank top, I lounge on the leather sofa in the family room with a remote in hand while surfing through the choices good ol’ Netflix has to offer. My controller hovers over The Office before River comes down the stairs looking like sex on a stick.
How the hell does he make a casual T-shirt and dark jeans look so drool-worthy?
With a scowl, I push the down button a few times, searching for a solid serial killer documentary. Maybe if I ignore him, he’ll go on his merry way, and I can stop thinking about him for two freaking minutes.
Not that it’ll help. Especially if he brings his date back to his room tonight, and I have to listen to them going at it like rabbits, but…
Yup. I’m definitely in the mood for a stabby documentary. With a bit more force than necessary, I jab at the buttons like my life depends on it. I can feel his eyes on the side of my face, tickling my senses with awareness, but I ignore them and click on something about Ted Bundy.
River clears his throat.
I ignore that too.
“You good in here?” His voice is a little rusty from lack of use.
Sighing, I purse my lips and pretend to give him half my attention when, in reality, he’s owned all of it since he hit Ian square in the jaw.
“Yup,” I answer, popping the ‘p’ at the end to emphasize my point while refusing to look at him.
“You ignoring me?”
Squeezing the remote in my hand, I force myself to face him and smile tightly.
“Nope.”
My eyes peruse his muscular frame like a buffet before I can stop myself, but my nose scrunches up as soon as I realize what I’m doing.
Come on, Reese. Keep it in your pants, ya floozy, I berate myself.
“So, uh, can I ask you something?”
“What?”
“Would you hire me for my bod?” he asks with a knowing smirk. But it feels forced. Like a façade.
My jaw drops. “I’m sorry…what was that?”
“I mean, you might as well help a guy out while you’re here. How do I look?” He motions to his simple black T-shirt that hugs every freaking muscle in his shoulders and biceps. The ones that I’m having very dirty, very inappropriate thoughts about that I’ve already committed to memory.
“So?” he prods, snapping me back to reality.
After a slow, deliberate blink, I wipe my sweaty palm on my yoga pants as discreetly as I can then wave him off. “Meh. I think your head is big enough already.”
His expression brightens as if I’ve given him the response he was looking for.
Greeeaaat.
“You should see what else is big,” he teases.
I snort, then turn back to the television. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I’m charming.”
“You’re something,” I mutter, still pretending to ignore him.
“I’ll take the red cheeks as a yes, I look good enough to eat, which is exactly the look I’m going for tonight. So thanks, Floozy. I appreciate the input.”
“Don’t mention it. Good luck on your date tonight.”
“Uh, thanks.” He squeezes the back of his neck, making his biceps bulge as he studies me carefully. “I’ll see ya later, yeah?”
I nod, then push play on the Ted Bundy documentary. “Yup. Sure thing.”
From the corner of my eye, I watch the front door open then close, leaving me alone.
Oh. So. Alone.
I should be used to the feeling. Ian and I rarely spent our nights together, and I never cared. Hell, I savored the respite. But River’s absence? Especially when I barely know the guy?
What is wrong with me?
I guess I miss his snark. His comments. His smirk.
Man, I’m pathetic.
With a sigh, I grab the nearest pillow and hug it to my chest as the images blur together on the screen.
A few minutes later, the stairs rattle in rhythm with Gibbs’ footsteps.
“Hey. I’m about to head to work. You good here?”
“You’re the second person to ask me that,” I growl. “And, yes. I’m fine.”
“You sure about that?”
“Mm-hmm,” I hum.
As if he’s a mind reader, Gibbs strides over to me and sits on the armrest of the couch before inspecting me closer.
I scowl back at him. “What do you want?”
“Go get dressed.”
With a huff, I hit pause then turn to him. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Go get dressed.”
“I’ve had a long day.”
“I can see that. Now, go get dressed.”
“Why?”
“Because you’ve had a long day and could use a drink, Drinks Anything Girl.” He nudges me playfully. “Besides, I like hanging out with you. You can entertain me during the lulls at work.”
I hesitate, chewing on the inside of my cheek as I check his expression for sincerity and find it in spades.
“Fiiiine,” I drag out before pushing myself up from the couch. “Give me five. I’ll be right down.”
“No worries. I’ll be out in my car and can drive you home after my shift. Or if you decide you want to call it a night before then, I’m sure Jake will pick you up.”
“You don’t have to do that, and neither does he. I’m a big girl, remember?”
“Yeah, but we’re both happy to help out, Reese. You should start taking advantage from time to time.”
“Oh, you mean like how you helped me get my stuff back from my ex? Like that kind of advantage?” I quip.
“If I hadn’t promised your brother that I’d keep my hands to myself, I’d tell you.” He winks.